MOBILE, Ala. -- When AJ McCarron officially passed on the chance to participate in the Reese's Senior Bowl, eventually citing medical reasons, the door opened for a sixth and final quarterback to be added to the roster.

At the time, Reese's Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage was already leaning toward Eastern Illinois' Jimmy Garoppolo, who was participating in the East-West Shrine Game along with six others on hand this week for the Senior Bowl.

But Savage also checked with the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff, which is coaching the South squad this week, to see if anyone else was higher on their scouting radar.

The answer was actually an echo: Garoppolo.

"It's a good feeling," Garoppolo said. "It's an honor to be here and compete with the best in the nation.

"I really didn't have an idea until my agent called me," he said of Jacksonville's endorsement. "It's a blessing."

Garoppolo's quickness with both his reads and his release have helped him look impressive despite two higher-rated prospects -- San Jose State's David Fales and Fresno State's Derek Carr -- throwing passes right beside him all week.